California Death Certificate

Below is the information you'll need in order to obtain a death certificate in California, including qualifications, cost, required information, where to submit your application, and a link to the application you'll need to fill out.

Qualifications

The following people may request death certificates from the state of California:

A parent or legal guardian of the deceased (legal guardian must provide documentation)

A party entitled to receive the record as a result of a court order (a copy of the court order must be included in the application)

A member of a law enforcement agency or a representative of another governmental agency, as provided by law, who is conducting official business (companies representing a government agency must provide authorization from the government agency)

A child, grandparent, grandchild, brother or sister, spouse, or domestic partner of the deceased

An attorney representing the deceased or the deceased's estate, or any person or agency empowered by statute or appointed by a court to act on behalf of the deceased or the deceased's estate (if you are requesting a certified copy under a power of attorney, include a copy of the power of attorney with the application form)

Any agent or employee of a funeral establishment who acts within the course and scope of his or her employment and who orders certified copies of a death certificate on behalf of an individual specified above

The authorized individual requesting the certified copy must sign the Sworn Statement attached to the application, declaring under penalty of perjury that they are eligible to receive the certified copy of the death record, and identify their relationship to the deceased. The Sworn Statement must be notarized by a Notary Public. Law enforcement and local and state governmental agencies are exempt from the notary requirement.

Cost

The fee to search for a death certificate is $14.00, which includes one certified copy of the death certificate or a "Certificate of No Public Record." Checks or money orders should be made payable to the CDHP Vital Records. Cash is not accepted. Fees are not refundable.

Required Information

Purpose of request

Name of applicant

Signature of applicant

Mailing address

Number of copies

Daytime telephone number

Deceased's name

Deceased's sex

City of death

County of death

Date of birth

State of birth

Date of death

Social Security Number

Mother/parent birth name

Name of spouse/domestic partner of deceased

Submitting Your Request

If using a courier service that requires a physical address for delivery, use the following address:
California Department of Public Health Vital Records - MS 5103
1501 Capitol Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95814